Manchester United will “never win the Premier League” with Fred and Scott McTominay in midfield, according to former Tottenham star Jamie O’Hara.
Fred and McTominay were a regular midfield pairing for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer last season.
Solskjaer was often criticised for starting both players, especially at Old Trafford, as it was deemed too defensive in some quarters.
Paul Pogba is rarely used in a midfield two by Solskjaer.
The Frenchman sees his contract expire at the end of the upcoming season, with Paris Saint-Germain reportedly interested in signing him this summer.
O’Hara admits Pogba does not replicate the form he shows at international level but claims that is due to the drop in quality of players around him.
The pundit singled out Fred and McTominay as two players United need to upgrade on if they harbour hopes of winning their first Premier League title since 2013.
O’Hara said on talkSPORT: “In terms of playing, I love Pogba. Watching him in the World Cup, he was a breath of fresh air. I enjoyed watching him.
“He doesn’t do it for Manchester United at that level, but you’ve also got to understand the players he’s playing with in midfield for Manchester United are completely different to the players he’s played with for France and Juventus.
“No disrespect to Fred and McTominay, they are not on the level of [N’Golo] Kante.
“You talk about where Manchester United need to improve the most, yes they need a centre-half and yes they’ve signed Sancho, they need a world class central midfielder.
“You are never going to win the Premier League with Fred and McTominay. You are never going to win the league with those players.”
O’Hara can only see Pogba staying at United until next summer before leaving the club on a free transfer.
“He [Pogba] isn’t going to sign a new deal,” O’Hara added.
“Mino Raiola isn’t going to let him sign a new deal to stay at Manchester United for the sake of it.
“He’s going to want to see progression. Pogba wants to know ‘are we challenging and are we going to win things?’
“The players they are signing, I think they are on that way again.
“I don’t think he signs a new deal, I think he’s going to leave on a free.
“I think with the agent he’s got and the way Pogba is, I can see Pogba leaving on a free transfer.”